Why Do Aeroplanes Fly in Circles Before an Emergency Landing?
Mark Dapin
February 18, 2025
Air travel is widely recognized as one of the safest forms of transportation. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the fatality risk in commercial aviation improved to 0.03 per million flights in 2023, meaning that on average, a person would have to travel by air every day for 103,239 years to experience a fatal accident.
When comparing air travel to other modes of transportation, the National Safety Council indicates that travel by personal light-duty vehicles presents the greatest risk, while air, rail, and bus travel have much lower death rates.
These statistics underscore the exceptional safety record of air travel, especially when compared to other common transportation methods.
But emergencies can still arise. When a pilot declares an emergency landing, passengers may notice the plane flying in circles rather than descending immediately to the airport.
This manoeuvre, known as “holding,” serves several critical purposes that enhance safety and ensure a controlled landing.
In this article, we will explore why aeroplanes must fly in circles before an emergency landing and how this process benefits the aircraft and its passengers.
1. Burning Excess Fuel to Reduce Landing Weight
One of the most common reasons aeroplanes circle before an emergency landing is to burn off excess fuel. Commercial aircraft are designed with a maximum takeoff weight and a lower maximum landing weight. If a plane takes off for a long-haul flight and must return shortly after, it is often too heavy to land safely.
Landing with too much fuel increases stress on the landing gear, lengthens stopping distances, and raises the risk of structural damage. To mitigate these risks, pilots may fly in holding patterns to consume fuel before making a safe landing.
2. Creating Time to Troubleshoot and Prepare for Landing
An emergency landing requires careful planning. Depending on the nature of the emergency, pilots and cabin crew must complete checklists, communicate with air traffic control (ATC), and prepare passengers for a potential impact. Circling gives the flight crew additional time to diagnose issues, coordinate with emergency response teams on the ground, and ensure that all safety procedures are followed.
For example, if the aircraft experiences a mechanical failure, the pilots may need time to assess the best course of action. Likewise, flight attendants need time to brief passengers on emergency protocols if a fire or smoke is detected.
3. Clearing Air Traffic for a Safe Landing
Airports, especially busy international hubs, manage a high volume of incoming and outgoing flights. An unexpected emergency landing can disrupt scheduled operations, so ATC may instruct the aircraft to hold in a circular pattern while clearing a runway and diverting other flights.
In some cases, emergency landings require specific runways that are longer or equipped with emergency response teams. Circling allows ATC to ensure that the aircraft can land without interfering with other flights.
4. Allowing Emergency Services to Prepare on the Ground
When an aircraft declares an emergency, airport rescue and firefighting teams must be alerted and positioned appropriately. This preparation includes deploying fire trucks, ambulances, and specialized rescue personnel.
Circling provides these emergency teams with valuable minutes to get into position, ensuring they are ready to respond immediately when the aircraft touches down. This is especially important in cases of potential fire hazards, hydraulic failures, or medical emergencies on board.
5. Assessing Weather and Wind Conditions
Weather plays a crucial role in safe landings. Wind speed and direction, rain, fog, and other environmental factors can significantly impact an emergency landing. If an emergency occurs while the weather at the destination airport is poor, pilots may hold in a circular pattern until conditions improve.
Additionally, airports have preferred runways based on wind direction. Pilots may need to circle to align with the safest approach route, minimizing the risk of crosswind landings or turbulence.
6. Maintaining Order and Passenger Safety
An emergency landing can cause panic among passengers. Flight attendants must ensure that everyone remains calm and follows safety instructions. Circling before landing provides the crew with extra time to prepare passengers, demonstrate brace positions, and confirm that all emergency protocols are in place.
For medical emergencies, circling can also give the crew more time to assist passengers in distress. If a passenger experiences a heart attack or severe allergic reaction, the delay may allow them to receive life-saving first aid before landing.
7. Avoiding Immediate Runway Occupancy Issues
In cases where multiple aircraft are approaching an airport simultaneously, ATC must manage runway occupancy. Emergency landings take precedence, but a sudden descent without coordination could lead to conflicts with other flights.
By holding in a circular pattern, pilots give ATC the flexibility to manage the airspace efficiently, ensuring the runway is free and that no other aircraft are affected.
8. Preventing Engine and Brake Overheating
Landing an aircraft at high weight or speed increases the stress on brakes and landing gear. This is particularly true if the aircraft needs to stop quickly after landing.
If the emergency requires an immediate landing but the plane is flying at high speed or has heavy fuel loads, circling can allow for a controlled descent and approach, reducing the risk of overheating brakes and hydraulic system failures.
9. Coordinating With Alternate Airports
In some situations, an aircraft may need to divert to an alternate airport if the primary destination is unsuitable for an emergency landing. Circling gives pilots time to communicate with ATC, evaluate alternate landing sites, and determine the best course of action.
For example, if an aircraft experiences hydraulic failure at an airport with short runways, it may be safer to divert to a larger airport with more emergency resources. Holding allows for this crucial decision-making process.
10. Ensuring a Controlled Descent and Final Approach
Finally, circling allows for a smooth and controlled descent. Sudden altitude drops or steep descents increase risks for passengers and crew, particularly if the aircraft has lost hydraulic power or control over its flaps and landing gear.
By maintaining a holding pattern, pilots can gradually bring the aircraft to an appropriate altitude and speed, ensuring a safe final approach. This controlled descent improves stability and reduces the likelihood of a hard landing or runway overrun.
Conclusion
Circling before an emergency landing is not a sign of delay or indecision—it is a critical safety measure that allows pilots, air traffic controllers, and emergency responders to ensure the best possible outcome. Whether the goal is to burn fuel, troubleshoot technical issues, prepare passengers, or clear air traffic, this manoeuvre significantly enhances the chances of a smooth and safe landing.
The next time you see an aeroplane flying in circles before landing, remember that it is all part of a well-coordinated effort to keep everyone on board safe. Aviation safety is a complex process, and every precaution is taken to ensure the best possible resolution in emergencies.
https://markdapin.com.au/why-do-aeroplan...y-landing/
![[Image: EV1ESK2.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/EV1ESK2.jpg)
![[Image: 2hGlPlc.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/2hGlPlc.jpg)
Mark Dapin
February 18, 2025
Air travel is widely recognized as one of the safest forms of transportation. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the fatality risk in commercial aviation improved to 0.03 per million flights in 2023, meaning that on average, a person would have to travel by air every day for 103,239 years to experience a fatal accident.
When comparing air travel to other modes of transportation, the National Safety Council indicates that travel by personal light-duty vehicles presents the greatest risk, while air, rail, and bus travel have much lower death rates.
These statistics underscore the exceptional safety record of air travel, especially when compared to other common transportation methods.
But emergencies can still arise. When a pilot declares an emergency landing, passengers may notice the plane flying in circles rather than descending immediately to the airport.
This manoeuvre, known as “holding,” serves several critical purposes that enhance safety and ensure a controlled landing.
In this article, we will explore why aeroplanes must fly in circles before an emergency landing and how this process benefits the aircraft and its passengers.
1. Burning Excess Fuel to Reduce Landing Weight
One of the most common reasons aeroplanes circle before an emergency landing is to burn off excess fuel. Commercial aircraft are designed with a maximum takeoff weight and a lower maximum landing weight. If a plane takes off for a long-haul flight and must return shortly after, it is often too heavy to land safely.
Landing with too much fuel increases stress on the landing gear, lengthens stopping distances, and raises the risk of structural damage. To mitigate these risks, pilots may fly in holding patterns to consume fuel before making a safe landing.
2. Creating Time to Troubleshoot and Prepare for Landing
An emergency landing requires careful planning. Depending on the nature of the emergency, pilots and cabin crew must complete checklists, communicate with air traffic control (ATC), and prepare passengers for a potential impact. Circling gives the flight crew additional time to diagnose issues, coordinate with emergency response teams on the ground, and ensure that all safety procedures are followed.
For example, if the aircraft experiences a mechanical failure, the pilots may need time to assess the best course of action. Likewise, flight attendants need time to brief passengers on emergency protocols if a fire or smoke is detected.
3. Clearing Air Traffic for a Safe Landing
Airports, especially busy international hubs, manage a high volume of incoming and outgoing flights. An unexpected emergency landing can disrupt scheduled operations, so ATC may instruct the aircraft to hold in a circular pattern while clearing a runway and diverting other flights.
In some cases, emergency landings require specific runways that are longer or equipped with emergency response teams. Circling allows ATC to ensure that the aircraft can land without interfering with other flights.
4. Allowing Emergency Services to Prepare on the Ground
When an aircraft declares an emergency, airport rescue and firefighting teams must be alerted and positioned appropriately. This preparation includes deploying fire trucks, ambulances, and specialized rescue personnel.
Circling provides these emergency teams with valuable minutes to get into position, ensuring they are ready to respond immediately when the aircraft touches down. This is especially important in cases of potential fire hazards, hydraulic failures, or medical emergencies on board.
5. Assessing Weather and Wind Conditions
Weather plays a crucial role in safe landings. Wind speed and direction, rain, fog, and other environmental factors can significantly impact an emergency landing. If an emergency occurs while the weather at the destination airport is poor, pilots may hold in a circular pattern until conditions improve.
Additionally, airports have preferred runways based on wind direction. Pilots may need to circle to align with the safest approach route, minimizing the risk of crosswind landings or turbulence.
6. Maintaining Order and Passenger Safety
An emergency landing can cause panic among passengers. Flight attendants must ensure that everyone remains calm and follows safety instructions. Circling before landing provides the crew with extra time to prepare passengers, demonstrate brace positions, and confirm that all emergency protocols are in place.
For medical emergencies, circling can also give the crew more time to assist passengers in distress. If a passenger experiences a heart attack or severe allergic reaction, the delay may allow them to receive life-saving first aid before landing.
7. Avoiding Immediate Runway Occupancy Issues
In cases where multiple aircraft are approaching an airport simultaneously, ATC must manage runway occupancy. Emergency landings take precedence, but a sudden descent without coordination could lead to conflicts with other flights.
By holding in a circular pattern, pilots give ATC the flexibility to manage the airspace efficiently, ensuring the runway is free and that no other aircraft are affected.
8. Preventing Engine and Brake Overheating
Landing an aircraft at high weight or speed increases the stress on brakes and landing gear. This is particularly true if the aircraft needs to stop quickly after landing.
If the emergency requires an immediate landing but the plane is flying at high speed or has heavy fuel loads, circling can allow for a controlled descent and approach, reducing the risk of overheating brakes and hydraulic system failures.
9. Coordinating With Alternate Airports
In some situations, an aircraft may need to divert to an alternate airport if the primary destination is unsuitable for an emergency landing. Circling gives pilots time to communicate with ATC, evaluate alternate landing sites, and determine the best course of action.
For example, if an aircraft experiences hydraulic failure at an airport with short runways, it may be safer to divert to a larger airport with more emergency resources. Holding allows for this crucial decision-making process.
10. Ensuring a Controlled Descent and Final Approach
Finally, circling allows for a smooth and controlled descent. Sudden altitude drops or steep descents increase risks for passengers and crew, particularly if the aircraft has lost hydraulic power or control over its flaps and landing gear.
By maintaining a holding pattern, pilots can gradually bring the aircraft to an appropriate altitude and speed, ensuring a safe final approach. This controlled descent improves stability and reduces the likelihood of a hard landing or runway overrun.
Conclusion
Circling before an emergency landing is not a sign of delay or indecision—it is a critical safety measure that allows pilots, air traffic controllers, and emergency responders to ensure the best possible outcome. Whether the goal is to burn fuel, troubleshoot technical issues, prepare passengers, or clear air traffic, this manoeuvre significantly enhances the chances of a smooth and safe landing.
The next time you see an aeroplane flying in circles before landing, remember that it is all part of a well-coordinated effort to keep everyone on board safe. Aviation safety is a complex process, and every precaution is taken to ensure the best possible resolution in emergencies.
https://markdapin.com.au/why-do-aeroplan...y-landing/